Most people say you need Photoshop in order to create a great thumbnail image and I am here to disprove that myth! If you are a Youtube or Fullscreen partner (I AM!), you have the opportunity to create your own thumbnail image to be seen as the main photo for your video. I will show you have to make full use of the EASY and FREE photo editing site pixlr.com to create a thumbnail picture in a matter of minutes. Learn how to make a BASIC thumbnail or a COLLAGE thumbnail by selecting "Read More"!
Starting off the tutorial, let's review some Youtube basics. You don't want to go through the whole process of creating your thumbnail to realize you accidentally ignored a simple step!
Important Youtube thumbnail information:
Size
Your custom thumbnail image should be as large as possible, as the image will also be used as the preview image in the embedded player. We recommend your custom thumbnails:
First things first, enter Pixlr.com into your web browser and you should come to a page like this:
Important Youtube thumbnail information:
Size
Your custom thumbnail image should be as large as possible, as the image will also be used as the preview image in the embedded player. We recommend your custom thumbnails:
- Have a resolution of 1280x720 (with minimum width of 640 pixels).
- Be uploaded in image formats such as .JPG, .GIF, .BMP, or .PNG.
- Remain under the 2MB limit. (2048KB)
- Try to use a 16:9 aspect ratio as it's the most used in YouTube players and previews.
First things first, enter Pixlr.com into your web browser and you should come to a page like this:
Then click on "Open Pixlr Express". Side note: I love using the advanced editor for creating PNG images but the express editor is better equipped to help you create that perfect Youtube thumbnail. Next, you will see a page that gives you various options to choose from:
If you click on:
Browse: Immediately takes you to your folders/pictures to upload a photo. Perfect for one photo thumbnails.
Open URL: Exactly that. This is for opening an image using an URL from the interwebs.
Webcam: Snap a photo of yourself or something else with your webcam!
Collage: My fave option that allows you to use multiple images for your thumbnail.
Mobile: Links you to page to promote the Pixlr Express apps.
BASIC THUMBNAIL TUTORIAL:
For this first tutorial, I will be showing you how to create a BASIC thumbnail using the BROWSE option. Once you upload the photo you want, you will be directed to the page below. The photo I am using for this tutorial was taken with a Canon Rebel T2i and is a JPEG file. It's dimensions are 3460x2303 with a size of 764 kb. We are first going to focus on getting this photo to the correct Youtube thumbnail size which is 1280x720. Begin by clicking on "Adjustment" on the left side pictured here:
Browse: Immediately takes you to your folders/pictures to upload a photo. Perfect for one photo thumbnails.
Open URL: Exactly that. This is for opening an image using an URL from the interwebs.
Webcam: Snap a photo of yourself or something else with your webcam!
Collage: My fave option that allows you to use multiple images for your thumbnail.
Mobile: Links you to page to promote the Pixlr Express apps.
BASIC THUMBNAIL TUTORIAL:
For this first tutorial, I will be showing you how to create a BASIC thumbnail using the BROWSE option. Once you upload the photo you want, you will be directed to the page below. The photo I am using for this tutorial was taken with a Canon Rebel T2i and is a JPEG file. It's dimensions are 3460x2303 with a size of 764 kb. We are first going to focus on getting this photo to the correct Youtube thumbnail size which is 1280x720. Begin by clicking on "Adjustment" on the left side pictured here:
Once that is clicked, your options appear and you will select the "Resize" button shown here:
When at the "Resize" page, you will only change the width of the photo to 1280, the correct size for the thumbnail, then select "Apply".
Once you have resized the photo width, select the "Crop" option. Here you will be able to adjust the height of the photo to 720. I selected 16:9 and it automatically place it at 721 for me. Once you have, click "Apply" to save that change.
Now that your photo is at the correct size, you have many more options. You can add effects, text, borders, stickers and overlays. When you are finished, save the file and upload it to use as a thumbnail for your video. Here is my finished test thumbnail showing the options:
COLLAGE THUMBNAIL TUTORIAL:
For this second tutorial, I am selecting the COLLAGE option. Once there, the page will look like the one below. Starting from the bottom left, you have your layout options. There are MANY of them but, it is best to choose a layout that features two to three photos and that can be proportioned horizontally to fit the thumbnail size. Spacing allows you to control the width of the lines. If you want a rounded finish to your rectangular photo, the next feature Roundness controls that. Proportions is VERY important to use in creating your thumbnail. This feature shrinks or widens your image and can get it to the appropriate thumbnail size. NOTE: Unlike the BASIC tutorial, this proportions feature does not allow you to input the size of the Youtube thumbnail (1280x720). I usually eye the image to the size I think is about 1280x720 then upload it to Youtube until I am satisfied. The Color features allows you to change the color of the borders.
For this second tutorial, I am selecting the COLLAGE option. Once there, the page will look like the one below. Starting from the bottom left, you have your layout options. There are MANY of them but, it is best to choose a layout that features two to three photos and that can be proportioned horizontally to fit the thumbnail size. Spacing allows you to control the width of the lines. If you want a rounded finish to your rectangular photo, the next feature Roundness controls that. Proportions is VERY important to use in creating your thumbnail. This feature shrinks or widens your image and can get it to the appropriate thumbnail size. NOTE: Unlike the BASIC tutorial, this proportions feature does not allow you to input the size of the Youtube thumbnail (1280x720). I usually eye the image to the size I think is about 1280x720 then upload it to Youtube until I am satisfied. The Color features allows you to change the color of the borders.
I chose this layout option with a main photo and two right side smaller photos. To add a photo, simple press the cross button. It is important at this time to change the proportion size to adjust your photos and to make it an acceptable thumbnail size. For this layout, I found that -44.0 to -41.00 worked best.
When you hover over each image, you will see three icons: two arrows in a circle, a paintbrush, and an "x". The "arrows" icon allow you to choose another image to replace it. The "paintbrush" allows you to edit the photo. The "x" removes the photo entirely. Get your creative juices flowing and choose the "paintbrush" icon. Once there, you are given the same options as the BASIC tutorial: Adjustment, Effect, Overlay, Borders, Stickers and Text. Feel free to explore and always make sure to select the "Apply" button when done with an edit.
After all your edits, you should have an amazing customized Youtube thumbnail!
Using Pixlr Express has definitely made such an impact on my Youtube video thumbnails and I hope this tutorial will helps yours too! Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions! xoxo
